Craniosynostosis: Are Online Resources Readable?

Author:

Soliman Luke1ORCID,Soliman Paul1,Gallo Marin Benjamin1ORCID,Sobti Nikhil1,Woo Albert S.1

Affiliation:

1. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

Abstract

Objective This study aims to analyze the readability of online craniosynostosis materials from the perspective of a caregiver, and to assess if readability levels conform to recommendations by the American Medical Association (AMA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Design This is a cross-sectional investigation in which an internet search was conducted simulating the search terms of a caregiver of a patient with craniosynostosis. The first three pages of resulting records were calculated for comprehension ease using validated readability indices. Records were also classified by author type, including hospital system, national health organization, academic journal, and other. Main Outcome Measures Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level, Gunning fog Index, SMOG Index, and Coleman Liau Index. Results Thirty records were identified for which the mean readability level was 12.8 ± 2.6 grade levels (range, 7.6–15.9). There were no significant differences in mean readability across readability indices or author type. None of the thirty records met levels recommended by the AMA or NIH and were 6.8 grade levels above these guidelines on average. Conclusions Online material pertaining to craniosynostosis is written, on average, at the reading level of a first-year undergraduate student. The AMA and NIH recommend that articles be written at approximately a sixth-grade reading level to promote comprehension. Therefore, there is significant room for improvement of current online materials. Authors should consider consulting publicly available guides in preparing future resources.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Otorhinolaryngology,Oral Surgery

Cited by 3 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3